While New Jersey was never known as "Hurricane Alley," recent visits by hurricanes Irene and Sandy have shown that big storms can and do strike the Garden State.
These recent storms have led to many of us learning more about being prepared as people ... it's also important to consider preparing for pets' needs in the event of another big blow.
Experts from BluePearl Veterinary Partners have put together some tips for pet owners that apply to natural disasters including hurricanes, floods and earthquakes:
* Make sure that people who have agreed to give you a place to stay if you have to leave your home can also accept your pets; during a storm is not the time to discover unknown pet allergies.
* Knowing in advance of any pet-friendly hotels in your area could make a big difference if friends and relatives are also escaping the situation.
* If you've prepared an emergency 'kit' for you and your family, make sure it has items for your pets including food bowls, resealable bags that can hastily be filled with food, toys and blankets or bedding.
* Store your pet's veterinary documents where you keep your own important papers; should your home be damaged in a storm, those important items could be destroyed.
Hoping that a boarding facility or veterinarian's office will be open and available when a storm approaches or is in progress is not planning; pets are members of a family and deserve to be a part of your emergency preparation plan.
Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.